Ryan Jordan

Pack-and-Paddle Wilderness Route Planning: Predicting Stream Flows

Guidelines for evaluating watershed geography and streamflow to help ask the question: is this creek runnable in a packraft?

Spring Raftpacking (and Packrafting)

In the high country, runoff doesn’t always coincide with what we all consider to be backpacking season, where trails are dry and the days are sunny. That being the case, here are some tips for trekking, packrafting, and camping in the spring snow and muck.

Packing for Adventure Travel: Ultralight Tips to Integrate Wilderness and Urban Kit

Packing to combine adventure travel and wilderness recreation.

Spring Snow Trekking Gear List

Ryan shares his ideal gear list for late-winter, early-spring trekking. By utilizing a snow shelter and making a few adjustments to your kit, you can push the limits of your conventional 3-season gear.

Winter Firebuilding Techniques (Video)

Ryan Jordan presents some tools and techniques for dealing with wet wood for firebuilding in winter conditions.

Notes from the Field: The Wintry Fringe Season in the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness

Gear notes and more from a trek in the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness in late October and early November, 2012.

Yellowstone River Packrafting

An Introduction to Packrafting in the Yellowstone River Corridor between its headwaters and Big Timber, MT.

Boys in the Wild (Short Film)

A short film about the challenges we face when trying to expose young men to backcountry experiences.

Photo Essay: Spanish Peaks, Lee Metcalf Wilderness, Montana

Photos from a Scout trek across the Spanish Peaks in Southwest Montana, with some insight into how we incorporate an ultralight ethic into groups.

Westcomb Focus LT Hoody Review

Superb fit and finish, high breathability, and nice mix of features, but durability insurance doesn't come with the $280 price tag - and at 9 oz, is it light enough?

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Porter 4400 Backpack Review

Durable lightweight packs that can carry a larger volume (and higher weight) expedition kit.

Alpacka Stowaway Dry Suit Review

A 22-ounce waterproof dry suit designed for packrafters with an eye towards saving weight and bulk on longer expeditions.

Depression and Wilderness, Part 2: Wilderness May Not Be Enough

Is wilderness really a cure for depression, or just a temporary escape?

24 Hours: Packrafting the Grande Ronde River

A new installment of the "24" series - stories about "24 hour" overnight trips.

Considering Minimalist Footwear for Backpacking

While it sounds romantic to be able to trek in hemp-strapped huaraches or five-toed skins, the reality of wild places and the limitations of your body’s biomechanics may necessitate a different type of minimalist footwear.

Tarp Camping Techniques for Inclement Conditions

Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness: Photo Essay

Photos and a Gear List from the 2012 Ultralight Backpacking Boot Camp.

Lamar

Ryan and a group of Scouts search for solitude in Yellowstone National Park's Lamar River Valley

Storm Resistance of Ultralight Shelters

Evaluating the wind and snow loading of shelters for ultralight backpacking in inclement conditions.

Mountain Laurel Designs TrailStar Shelter Review

Simplicity and strength in an all-season shelter.